Proceeds from the recent Rogers State University Foundation’s Saddle Up For Scholarships Auction and Dinner will net a record amount for unrestricted scholarships awarded to deserving RSU students during the 2017-18 academic year. This year’s event, held April 28, raised more than $191,000.
The annual “Saddle Up For Scholarships” event, held at the Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs Event Center, featured both silent and live auctions and sales of an exclusive RSU “Hillcat” Rustic Cuff bracelet. Pelco Structural, LLC was the presenting sponsor.
This is the 13th year the RSU Foundation has held its auction and dinner and more than 600 people attended. Kristen Glover-Galyean and Jared Glover emceed the event and Rick Reimer served as the auctioneer.
Tonni Harrald, Director of Development at RSU, praised area business, industry, community leaders and caring individuals for their support of RSU Students.
“The RSU Foundation is committed to helping deserving students attain their degrees, and we are grateful for the attendees and community businesses and sponsors who support us in that work,” she said. “All proceeds generated from the auction, sponsorships and sales from the raffle tickets and Rustic Cuff bracelets will benefit RSU students at the Bartlesville, Claremore and Pryor campuses.”
The event also included three raffles that included $10,000 in cash prizes, 400 pounds of prime Angus beef and a Savage Axis Youth .243 rifle.
During the past 13 years, the auction has raised nearly $1 million for scholarships that would not be possible without continued support from area businesses, industries and individual sponsors.
Dozens of area companies and individuals donated auction items and made contributions to make the evening possible.
The Polo Club Champions Sponsor was Williams Construction. Broncs and Bulls Sponsors were Jim Glover Auto Family and Pryor Stone. Hunter Jumper Sponsors were Don and Brenda Brown, Tom Giles and Fonda Ryan, Jack and Denda Graves, Win and Kay Ingersoll, Jack Kissee Ford, Nash and Dana Lamb, RCB Bank, RCB Bank Trust, The Trust Company of Oklahoma and Walmart Distribution Center. Chaps and Jodhpurs Sponsors were BancFirst, Jack and Bobbye Mooney, Pixley Lumber, St. John Health System, Wanda Sanders, Solid Rock Realtors, Sold Rock Realtors Prime, Jack and Mary Lee Spinks, and Janees Taylor-Cherokee Nation Tribal Council.
Bits and Bridles Sponsors were ARVEST-Bartlesville, Bank of Commerce, Cherokee Data Solutions and the Bickford Family Foundation, Cherokee Nation Businesses/Will Rogers Downs, Community Home Health, the Honorable Gary and Tracey Dean, Mike and Clarice Doyle and Family, Mayor and Mrs. Bill Flanagan, G&G Commercial Properties, Hays and Suzanne Gilstrap, Grand Bank, The Harrald Family, Hillcrest Hospital-Claremore, The Horse of Course, HydroHoist Marine Group, Jeweled Affairs, LLC, Leroy Johnson, Susan Kirtley, Meeks Printing, MidAmerica Industrial Park, OMA Alumni Association, ONE Gas, Inc., Maynard and Debra Phillips, Bob Pomeroy, President and Mrs. Rice, Dr. Larry and Dr. Judy Riley, RCI Insurance, RSU Alumni Association, RSU Athletics, RSU Public Television, Bob and Ginny Sherrer, SERVEPRO-Brad Peixotto, Dr. Steven Hardage with SUMMIT Physical Therapy– EOOC, TJT Enterprises, LLC, Senator Marty Quinn and Representative Mark Lepak, and Carlene Webber.
The auction committee members included: Crystal Campbell, Tracey Dean, Lou Flanagan, Kathy Glover, Jesse Glover, Denda Graves, Tonni Harrald, Sharon Holm, Heather Isaacs, Dr. Judy Riley, Susan Kirtley, Mary Lee Spinks, Kelli Nidey, Cindy Rickard, Ginny Sherrer, Brandi Sutherland, Carlene Webber, Cathy Webster, and ex officio members Martha Blackburn, Jim Harrison, Bobbye Mooney and Peggy Rains.
For more information, contact Tonni Harrald, RSU Foundation Director of Development, at 918-343-7767 or email [email protected].